Electrical switch



Nov. 29,, 192?. 1,651,314

.3. W. BEASLEY JR ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Oct. 20, 1922 WITNESSES 46 32 I/Vl/E/VTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 29, 1927.

JOHN W. BEASLEY, J' R., OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Application filed October 20, 1922. Serial No. 595,838.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical switches.

The invention more particularly relates to an electrical switch of the rotary type. in which a pivoted arm is used as a movable element'and a plurality of contacts as the stationary elements over which said arm is adapted to move and individually engage for establishing ditlerent electrical circuits.

10 This form of switch is employed extensively in apparatus used in ,connection with wireless telephony for establishing difierent electrical circuits. The switch arm usually employed in a switch of this character is placed under tension b v the means of a spring and in this way contact between the I switch arm and the different contact points is insured. With this arrangement the switch arm often becomes bent due to the tension under which it is placed and thus a good contactbetween the switch arm and contact points is sometime not established.

Vith the above in mind, it is the object of the present invention to provide a. switchin which the objection referred to may be entirely overcome.

It is also an importantobject of the invention that means be provided which will permit an easy movement of the switch arm over the contacts and at the same time insure positive engagement between said switch arm and contacts.

Other objectsv and objects relating to details of construction will hereinafter appear;

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional View of a portion of a switch board to which my invention has been applied.

Figure 2 isa detail view particularly illustrating the manner in which the contact bolts or posts for the switch are constructed.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a modified form of the invent-ion.

Figure 4 is a detail view further illustrating the form of invention shown in Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a modified form of the contact bolt or post shown in Figure 2;

Like reference numerals refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring to the drawings more particularly in Figures, 1 and 3, S indicates generally a switch board and P the pivot support for the movable arm A and C the contact over which the arm A is adapted to move and individually establish connection therewith.

The contactposts or bolts C are arranged in circular formation as is well understood and properly spaced with relation to each other. The bolts C are each connected for establishing a separate electrical circuit when the arm A is brought into contact therewith. and the pivot post P serves as a common conductor with which the difierent posts C may be connected.

Referring to Figures 1 and Q, the contact post C consists of a cylindrical shell which is formed adjacent its one end with an annular flange 11, said flange occurring upon the exterior periphery of the shell 10, the

other end of the shell 10 is exteriorly thread ed as at- 12 and adapted to receive a nut 13. The shell 10 may be extended through a suitable opening in the switch board S as shown in Figure 1 and the nut 13 employed for securing the shell against removal. The one end of the shell 10 has formed upon its inner periphery a beveled annular rib 11. ithin the shell there is placed a ball 15 and a coil spring 16. The ball 15 is adapted to be pressed against the rib 1st and the spring 16 is held within the shell 10 and under a predetermined tension by a plug 17. The plug 17 may be secured within the shell 10 in any preferable manner and said plug is formed with a shank 18 which is threaded the greater portion of its length as at 19 and provided with a pair of nuts 20 by the means of which a terminal wire 21 may be connec ed to the plug 17 so that an electric connection may be made therewith.

The pivot bolt or means for the switch arm A is the same throughoutthe different views of the drawing and comprises a bolt- 21 which is formed at its one end with a cir' cular head 22 and which is threaded at its other end as at 23 and carrying a. pair of nuts 2 1. A sleeve 25 is provided adapted to Slide upon the bolt 21, said sleeve having a reduced threaded end portion 26. The bolt 21 is extended through a suitable opening in theswitch board S as at 37 and the sleeve 25 is interposed between the head 22 of the bolt 21 and the switch board S.

The switch arm A'terminates at its one end in an enlargement 28 which is formed upon its upper face with a boss 29 terminattion 33 of this recess is enlarged and thread ed and adapted to receive the threaded portion 26 of the sleeve and thereby to lock the arm A upon the bolt 21 and at the same time permit free turning movement of the arm A with respect to the bolt.

As shown in Figure 1 the arm A has its outer end formed with a hemispherical de pression 34, said'depression occurring upon the one face of the arm and adapted to be brought for engagement withthe different lalls 15 carried by the contact posts or bolts In the structure of arm A shown in Figure 4 the outer end of said arm terminates in a cylindrical shell 35 which is disposed at right angles to the arm and which is interiorly threaded at its upper end to receive a plug 36. The lower end of the shell 35 has its inner periphery formed with a beveled rib or flange 37adapted tOyIQtfllIl a ball 38 and between the ball 38 and plug 37 there is interposed a compression spring-39. In this instance-the contact post or bolt C may consist in a bolt 40 carrying upon its one end a head 41 formed with a depression 42 in which the ball, 38 of the arm A may be brought into register. The bolt may threaded at its upper end and provided with a pair of nuts 44 whereby to connect a wire terminal 45 with the bolt 40.

In Figure 5, a modified form of contact bolt or post C is shown and which consists of a cylindrical shell or sleeve 46 formed upon its exterior with a flange 47 similar to the flange 11 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and having within the shell :1 contact ball 48 pressed by the coil spring 49. In this instancethe coil spring 49 is engaged at its one end by a cup-shaped member 50. The cupshaped member is adapted to hold the coil spring 49 therein and this cup-shaped memher is adjustably held in position by a ciring therefrom may be clearly apparent. It

should be pointed out that by providing a ball contact between the movable and sta- \tionary members that the switch arm A may be easily rotated and that by manipulating this ball contact which is spring pressed every possibility of an eiiicient electrical connection between the switch arm A and either of the contact posts or bolts C is at all times assured. The spring pressed ball may be carried either by the arm A or carried by the contact posts C with equal advantages.

IVhile I have herein shown the specific applications of my invention, I wish it tobc position; a contacting member located within the shell, a spring behind the contact making member urging it in one direction in said shell, a plug inserted in the shell, providing an abutment for the spring and having a shank with means by which an electrical connector may be secured to the shank. and stop means to limit the movement of said contacting member, said stop means comprising an annular. rib permitting said member to protrude part-way from the shell JOHN W. BEASLEY 

